Martian

I've been thinking of getting myself a pipe to smoke. I've cut back on my cigarette consumption drastically and I think I could see myself enjoying the richer flavour of pipe tobacco.

I've been told that corncob is best for a beginning smoker, but I've also heard that they can have a negative impact on the flavour and that a briar pipe, though more expensive, is the better option.

Any pipe smokers out there who can make some recommendations? What about tobacco? Any particular brands worth checking out? Any other tips?

__________________
I wake up in the morning more tired than before I slept
I get through cryin' and I'm sadder than before I wept
I get through thinkin' now, and the thoughts have left my head
I get through speakin' and I can't remember, not a word that I said

- Ben Harper, Show Me A Little Shame

kurty[B]

I always used glass pipes, but that was a different type of crop.

Willravel

You will definately get a better flavor with pipe tobacco, much as the tobacco is better in cigars than cigarettes. Also, you look cool, so that's a bonus.
I'm a cigar man (once every few months), but I've had some experience with pipes. Corn cob pipes are cheap and simple, but they are kinda like the black and mild of the pipe world. I'd suggest you start with brairwood and then experiment after you get used to it (the taste is better, imho). What was your favorite brand of cigarette? That might help to determine your taste preference.

thingstodo

Sorry, but I just have to say it: don't!

I know I'm an ex-smoker. Quit 18 years ago. I, too went through the pipe and cigar phase. I can tell you that pipes are messy (you have to clean out spit!) and a lot of work but you don't figure that out until you've spent money on several pipes! Cigars are kind of fun and don't require the investment.

But I return to my original thought... why smoke at all?

__________________
If you're wringing your hands you can't roll up your shirt sleeves.

Stangers have the best candy.

ratbastid

It's obligatory that I mention this: mouth and tongue cancer won't kill you quite as fast as lung cancer, but it's more likely to leave you permanently disfigured. Do with that what you will.

I went through a pipe phase myself, while I was a cigarette smoker. The nicotine hit isn't quite as direct as inhaled cigarette smoke, so my addiction found it less satisfying. But it sure looked and tasted great. I smoked cherry tobacco, usually, bought from the tobacco and porn shop in my college town.

Willravel

To speak to the cancer thing: pipes are not meant to be smoked daily. Like cigars, they should only be smoked occasionally. I, for example, only smoke cigar on very special occasions. This year I've only smoked 3 cigars. Not only that, but I rinse out my mouth with non-alcoholic rinse after smoking to clean out some of the crap that gets in there. I also normally enjoy a diet of fruits high in antioxidants, that eliminate free radicals. These two steps, along with only rarely smoking, virtually eliminate the risk of cancer (according to my oncologist).

ratbastid

There are a lot of different ways people smoke pipes. I know plenty who smoke their pipes as often as others smoke cigarettes. My dad smoked six or seven big cigars a day in his prime (he also inhaled). So... I'm not convinced there's any "meant to be" about pipes or cigars that's inherently safer than any other sort of tobacco use. It's all carcinogen, and the more of that you put in your body, the more your risk of consequences.

I really don't mean to be a bring-down on this thread. I loved smoking, when I smoked. I still fucking YEARN for cigarette occasionally. Enjoy your pipe, it's not a problem. But don't do it blind to the potential consequences.

Martian

willravel: Thank you for the input. Should I start with just one pipe? In my digging on the internet regarding the matter, I've read that it may be better to have more than one, so that I can try different flavours of tobacco without any carry over. Any thoughts on that?

As to what sort of cigarettes I prefer, I tend to go for fairly strong brands with drier tobacco. Think Marlboro red, the stuff I smoke isn't so far off from that.

To everyone else:

I'm well aware of the risks. I know that pipe smoke tends to lend itself more to cancer of the mouth and larynx. I know that it's no less dangerous. I know that it's more work, too. Honestly, I'm not as dumb as I look.

Don't get me wrong, you guys are welcome to discuss the evils of smoking. Expound on the subject all day and night, if that's what makes you happy. Myself, I have made a conscious choice with full foreknowledge of the consequences and, having made that choice, have decided to seek the advice of those more educated in what I've chosen as a new hobby. I'm not switching to a pipe to help me try to quit smoking, I'm not doing it to look cool and I'm not doing it because the nicotine hit is different. I'm doing it because it seems like something that I might enjoy. Plain and simple. Thank you for your concern.

__________________
I wake up in the morning more tired than before I slept
I get through cryin' and I'm sadder than before I wept
I get through thinkin' now, and the thoughts have left my head
I get through speakin' and I can't remember, not a word that I said

- Ben Harper, Show Me A Little Shame

ratbastid

Yep, fine. God bless, then. I actually didn't post that for YOU so much, as I know you've got a head on your shoulders. I just think we have to think about the thousands of people who read our threads without ever posting or long after they've gone cold.

I know when I smoked, I had a tendency to deny or ignore the potential consequences, and I now see the huge mistake that was. Do whatever you want to do, you know? Just do it smart. I get, Martian, that you're doing exactly that. So go for it.

I hereby officially and for all time /threadjack.

Willravel

Well, you can start with one pipe. Find one that's comfortable in your hands and seem to fit you. Aftr you get used to one, you can get more. It's really a matter of personal preference. Even with cleaning there can be left over taste between pipes, but some people like that. Again, this has to be something you explore. As this is basically 100% entertainment and pleasure, it's not easy to make rules. It's really like wine. Some people love the $5 stuff and some peope like the $50 stuff (that also applies to the type of tobacco you use).

Check out this link for info about tobacco: http://members.bellatlantic.net/~vze...e/tobacco.html

newtx

Check out the E.A. Carey Company. They make a fine quality pipe and the dark black tobacco is great. I checked the web site and would recommend the Carey Private Blend Tobacco Samplers - aromatic. Don't worry about smoking several different blends in the same pipe. I am an ex-pipe smoker and found it easier to stop smoking a pipe than most other forms of tabacco.